Mountaineer Um Hong-gil points to climate change, tourism over Nepal floods
Mountaineer Um Hong-gil, who has climbed 16 Himalayan peaks at elevations of 8,000 meters or higher, could not hide his deep sorrow over the devastating floods in Nepal, which have left more than 1,000 people dead or injured, during a phone interview with the Hankook Ilbo on Friday. Um said he had witnessed firsthand the Himalayas becoming warmer, glaciers melting and landslides becoming more…
Himalayan mountaineer Um Hong-gil expressed profound sorrow over the catastrophic floods in Nepal, which have claimed over 1,000 lives and left many injured, according to a phone interview with the Hankook Ilbo. The seasoned climber, who has scaled 16 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters, observed the region's warming climate, retreating glaciers, and increasing landslides since his first expedition in 1985.
While he had previously cautioned about the potential for a major disaster, Um was taken aback by the extent of the recent destruction. The flood-stricken areas along the Nepal-China border were particularly familiar to him, as he had recently visited in late May of this year. Um noted that the disaster may have been exacerbated by its timing during the peak pilgrimage season at the sacred Mount Kailash site, a popular destination for Buddhists and Hindus.
Upon his visit, he witnessed a chaotic scene in a narrow gorge, with the area teeming with pilgrims from around the globe.
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- Mountaineer Um Hong-gil points to climate change, tourism over Nepal floods koreatimes.co.kr
- Nepal floods: Whistles, shouts warned Trishuli folks as river rose 30ft in 30 mins timesofindia.indiatimes.com
